The first appointment on the following day was the visit to the Dom Bosco Museum of Cultures , a Salesian work that already has 72 years of history behind it. Several Salesian missionaries collaborated in the construction and maintenance of the Museum, in particular the late Fathers Antonio Colbacchini, Felice Zavattaro, Cesare Albisetti, Angelo Venturelli and Giovanni Falco – who were responsible for collecting most of the institution’s collection.

It is noteworthy that Fr Maravilla was accompanied on his visit by Fr Reginaldo Cordeiro, originally from the Province of St Alphonsus Liguori Manaus (BMA), who has been part of Fr Maravilla’s team within the Missions Sector since this year. The two were received by Prof. Dirceu Maurício Van Lonkhuijzenm, Director of the museum, and by Prof. Cristiano Marcelo Espinola, Pro-Rector for Research and Postgraduate Studies at the Dom Bosco Catholic University (UCDB) in the same city. In addition, they were also accompanied by the Provincial of BMA and Bro. Rafaelle Lochi, SDB, UCDB Economer.

The visit was led by Prof. Van Lonkhuijzenm, who explained in detail the collections on display, their origin, how they became part of the museum’s exhibits, as well as the structure and history of the museum itself. At the end of the visit, Fr Maravilla said it is a very important Salesian work on a worldwide level. “I think the museum is the heritage of the entire Congregation. And it also reflects the work and commitment of the Salesians who came here to help people, especially indigenous peoples. I think museums like this are really relevant because they help a lot of the people we work with, first of all by valuing their culture, preserving it, so that their cultural traditions can be passed on to the next generations. And this is precisely part of our work as evangelisers. We must help people to know, to appreciate their culture, to deepen their cultural traditions” he said.

The General Councillor for Missions also recalled that the Salesian Congregation is preparing to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the First Missionary Expedition in 2025. From this perspective, he also noted that Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians, has asked that we renew the commitment of the Salesians in favour of the indigenous populations. “We're working on it. After 150 years, we need to relaunch our work with indigenous peoples. And one of the first things we’re doing is reflecting on the Salesian Missionary Museum. In January we will have a meeting with the Directors of the Salesian Missionary Museums, to talk about the identity of the Salesian Missionary Museum. This will be the first step” he said.

"The second step” Fr Maravilla concluded “will be to renew our commitment to work with indigenous peoples. My task here is precisely to visit the indigenous populations, the Bororo, the Xavante. Just as, until a few days ago, I was in Vietnam to meet the indigenous people of that territory. And then I will continue this, because that is what Fr Ángel asked us.”

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